Bobbin



Sept. 15, 1959 l. F. LucAs 2,904,283

BoBBIN Filed sept. 21, 195e 2 sheets-sheet 1 8 l v IL /20 I6) 'Y /7 g f /ZIV INVENTOR IKE FRALEY LUCA S ATTORNEYS Sept. 15, 1959 l l. F. LUCAS l 2,904,283

BoBBIN Filed sept. 21, i956 v 2 sheets-sheet 2 FIG/4.

1NVENT0R :KE FRALEY LucAs 9 ATTRNEYS BOBBIN Ike Fraley Lucas, Burlington, N.C., assignor to Burlington Industries, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Application `September 21, 1956, Serial No. 611,326

` Claims. (Cl. 242-125) The present invention relates to a novel bobbin structure and more particularly to an improved and uniquely advantageous transfer tail bobbin.

Various types of bobbin structures have been proposed for the purpose of providing a transfer tail, i.e. a freely available yarn end for tying directly onto the yarn of another bobbin so as to permit continuous yarn delivery. One of the most frequently used transfer tail bobbins comprises a lianged barrel in which a flange is provided with a relatively large V-shaped notch and a horseshoelike element fixed to the `outer surface thereof about the longitudinal axis of the barrel. In operation, a free end of the yarn is drawn from a suitable supply package downwardly through the V-shaped notch and is then wound about the horseshoe-like element.

The above described transfer tail bobbin suffers from several disadvantages. In the lirst place, itis necessary to effect the transfer tail while the bobbin is stationary, i.e. before it is placed upon the rotary spindle or takeup roll of a machine for winding, `redrawing, twisting or the like. Furthermore, due to the horseshoe-like element, the yarn receiving portion of the bobbin is decreased so .that the capacity of the bobbin is less than conventional non-transfer tail bobbins. Also, when using the transfer `tail bobbins equipped with the horseshoe-like element it is necessary to decrease `the width of the takeup roll. This necessarily limits useof the bobbin to work requiring a transfer tail.

There are other known .transfer tail bobbins which do not include the abovementioned horseshoe-like element and these have, as ,a result, certain desirable .characteristics. Nevertheless, all such prior bobbins have one or more deficiencies which tend yto ylimit the `satisfactory use thereof. For example, U.S. Patent 2,298,357 describes a bobbin to which a transfer tail may be applied `while the bobbin is rotating on a winding spindle. However, the bobbin described in this patent is quite complex and expensive and generally diiiicult to operate.

Another type of transfer tail bobbin is shown in U.S. Patent 1,852,593. However, one disadvantage of the structure described therein is that the bobbin includes a tail fastening member or slidable catch which slows down the application of the transfer tail.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a transfer tail bobbin which is free from disadvantages hitherto encountered with known transfer tail bobbins.

Another object of the invention comprises the provision of a bobbin structure to which a transfer tail may be applied in a relatively simple and highly efficient manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bobbin or yarn support to which a transfer tail may be readily and simply applied while the bobbin is rotating on a suitable machine.

Another object of the invention comprises means for substantially automatically applying a transfer tail utilizing the rotary motion imparted by the spindle of a machine.

nited States Patent Still another object includes the provision of an all purpose and highly versatile -bobbin suitable for use both in transfer tail winding and in conventional non-transfer tail winding.

Other objects will appear from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmental perspective view of a transfer tail bobbin according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmental sectional view of the bobbin taken on the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmental perspective View of the Vbobbin with the transfer tail applied thereto;

Figure 4 is a perspective View of the present bobbin illustrating the manner in which the transfer tail is applied;

Figure 5 is a fragmental perspective view of the bobbin illustrating another lphase in the application of the transfer tail; and

Figure 6 is a fragmental perspective view of the present bobbin showing the beginning of the winding operation after application of the transfer tail.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the present bobbin, which may be constructed of steel vor other suitable material, includes a cylindrical barrel 2 having a circular flange i attached to an end thereof. Flange 4 may constitute an integral part of barrel 2, or it may be a separate part suitably affixed as, for example, by welding, to the barrel. Flange 4 is provided with an inwardly extended peripheral slot 6 which is angularly disposed with respect to the radius of the flange in the direction in which the :bobbin is rotated when the transfer tail is applied thereto as described in detail hereinafter. Additionally, slot Y6 is preferably disposed so as to be substantially 'tangential to barrel 2 as best shown by the broken line in Figure 4.

A hollow projection '8 extends ,outwardly from the center of flange 4 in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of barrel 2. The outer end of projection 8 is adapted to receive a spindle (not shown) or fit into fingers or other means for holding on the desired machine (e.g. a winding, -redrawing -or twisting machine `or the like) for the purpose of rotating the bobbin as `well understood in the art. As shown in Figure 2, projection 8 is held in position by fitting .the reduced inner end vthereof through a suitable central opening 10 in flange 4 and a tubular extension 12 which is positioned within barrel 2 and extends the length thereof or other means of holding the hollow projection or gudgeon.

According to the invention, projection 8 includes a suitable circumferential ,transfer vtail-receiving zone 14 adjacent the outer plane surface of flange 4. This Zone may be formed by providing the external surface of projection 8 with an inward taper as illustrated in Figure 2. The tapered construction is advantageous when the inner end of projection 8 has a reduced diameter, as shown in Figure 2, for attaching the projection to the iiange 4 and/ or tubular extension 12. However, where the inner fixed end of the projection has substantiallythe same external diameter as the outer end thereof, the tapered zone of Figure 2 may be advantageously replaced by a circumferential groove which, for example, may be V- or U-shaped or substantially semicircular in cross-section.

The outer plane surface of flange 4 is also provided with a groove 16 which may have any desired crosssection, e.g. semi-circular or V- or U-shaped, and extends from the inner end of slot 6 inwardly in a direction substantially tangential to projection y8. Groove 16 preferably terminates short of projection S at approximately the point where it would intersect an imaginary line drawn tangential to projection 8 and normal to a radial line drawn from the leading peripheral edge of slot 6. Groove 16 may be of substantially uniform width and depth throughout its length. In such event, the width of the groove should preferably be substantially less than the width of the peripheral opening of slot 6, and the groove depth should be sufficient to fully protect any yarn run. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 1, groove 16 may taper inwardly and/or upwardly over its entire length, or over at least the inner portion thereof, to provide a gradual termination point.

The angle formed by groove 16 and slot 6 is desirably adjusted to minimize breakage and undue stress on the yarn. It is also advantageous as a supplement to the yarn receiving zone 14 to provide a circular recess 20 in the outer surface of flange 4 about projection 8.

As shown in Figure 4, the other end of barrel 2 carries a conventional circular flange 22. A hollow, cylindrical projection 24 is also provided at this end of the bobbin. Projection 24 is held in position by means of the tubular extension 12 and is generally identical with projection 8, except that the former does not include the yarn receiving zone 14 of projection 8. As in the case of projection 8, projection 24 is adapted to receive a rotary spindle or fit into suitable fingers and may be used for winding yarn on barrel 2 when a transfer tail is not necessary. However, when a transfer tail is desired, the bobbin is preferably placed on the spindle by means of projection 8 in the position generally shown in Figures 4-6. A free end of yarn 26 from a suitable supply (not shown) is then drawn downwardly through member 28 which represents a conventional traverse guide or like mechanism for winding yarn onto a bobbin. The yarn is held against the periphery of flange 4 as the latter rotates in the direction of the arrows of Figures 4 6. When the yarn reaches slot 6, it enters the same as shown by the broken line in Figure 4 and the solid line in Figure 5. Further rotation of the bobbin by the spindle or roll means causes the yarn to fall into groove 16 and, as the bobbin revolves, the transfer tail is automatically wound around projection 8, primarily in the yarn receiving zone 14, as best shown in Figure 3. The winding of the yarn about projection 8 is sufficiently firm to hold the yarn against displacement and permits winding of the yarn on barrel 2 to proceed in conventional manner, e.g. by moving traverse guide 28 back and forth across the length of the rotating barrel. Figure 6 illustrates the first wind of yarn after application of the transfer tail.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the bobbin structure described herein makes it possible to quickly and substantially automatically apply a transfer tail utilizing the rotary motion of the bobbin. Special clips or catches for the free end of yarn are eliminated thus simplifying and speeding up the transfer tail operation. Furthermore, in contrast to prior structures, the transfer tail feature does not necessitate shortening the length of the bobbin barrel or othewise decreasing the capacity of the bobbin. This makes it possible to alter standard type bobbins to include the transfer tail feature herein described andthe alteration does not prevent the bobbin from being used on all types of winding work, including those which do not require the transfer tail. The present bobbin structure, therefore, is an all purpose one as distinguished from prior transfer tail bobbins. Additionally, the instant transfer tail bobbin is considerably less expensive to manufacture and the transfer tail feature may be readily applied to standard type bobbins.

Various modifications may be made in the invention described herein without deviating from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims wherein I claim:

l. A transfer tail bobbin comprising a barrel for supporting yarn wound thereon by rotating said bobbin, a substantially circular flange at one end of said barrel, an angularly disposed slot in the periphery of said flange extending inwardly in a direction which is substantially tangential with respect to said barrel, said slot having a leading peripheral end and a trailing end inwardly of said flange periphery and being angularly disposed in the direction in which said barrel is rotated for winding yarn thereon, a substantially cylindrical projection extending outwardly from said flange in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of said barrel, said projection including a circumferential tail receiving zone adjacent the outer plane surface of said flange, and a groove extending inwardly from said slot along the outer surface of said ilange, said groove being substantially tangential with respect to said projection and intersecting said slot at the inner trailing end thereof so as to form an obtuse angle therewith.

2. The bobbin of claim l wherein said groove is tapered inwardly towards said projection.

3. The bobbin of claim l wherein the outer plane surface of said flange includes an annular recess about said projection.

4. The bobbin of claim 1 wherein said groove terminates short of said projection at approximately the point where it would intersect a line drawn tangential to said projection and normal to a radial line of the ange drawn from the leading peripheral edge of said slot.

5. The bobbin of claim l wherein a radial line of the ilange drawn from the leading peripheral edge of said slot is substantially parallel to said groove.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 268,197 Davis Nov. 28, 1882 1,852,953 Clinton Apr. 5, 1932 1,663,498 Hathaway Mar. 20, 1938 2,432,270 Asbill Dec. 9, 1947 2,763,444 Burlein Sept. 18, 1956 

